KR20200118895A - Anchor assembly and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchor assembly comprising a first plate and a second plate slidably movable relative to each other, each plate comprising an upper head having an outward-extending flange, the first plate located at an upper portion of the first plate It includes at least one set spreader ramp.

Description

Anchor assembly and method of use

Anchorage assemblies are often used to provide an overhead anchor point to which a self-retracting lifeline can be attached to, for example, provide protection for an operator located at an elevated height.

Briefly summarized, disclosed herein is an anchor assembly comprising first and second plates slidably movable relative to each other, each plate comprising an upper head with an outward-extending flange, and a first The plate includes at least one spreader ramp positioned on an upper portion of the first plate. These and other aspects will be apparent from the detailed description below. However, in any case, whether the claimable subject matter is presented in the claims of the original filing application, or is amended or otherwise presented in the claims presented during the proceedings, this summary summary does not limit such claimable subject matter. It should not be interpreted as.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary anchor assembly in a first ready position for installation into a strut channel.
2 is a perspective view of an exemplary anchor assembly in a second installation position in a strut channel.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the strut channel, as viewed along the long axis of the strut channel.
4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary anchor assembly.
5 is an exploded perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 4 from different directions.
6 is a front view of the exemplary anchor assembly in a first ready position, viewed along the transverse axis of the anchor assembly.
7 is a front view of the exemplary anchor assembly of FIG. 6 in a second installation position.
8 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary anchor assembly.
9 is an exploded perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 8 from different directions.
10 is a perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9 in a first ready position.
11 is a front view of the exemplary anchor assembly of FIG. 10 in a first ready position.
12 is a front view of the exemplary anchor assembly of FIG. 11 in a second installation position.
13 is a perspective view of the anchor-installation assembly with the anchor assembly in a first ready position.
14 is a perspective view of the anchor-installation assembly with the anchor assembly in a second installation position.
Like reference numerals in the various drawings indicate like elements. Some elements may exist in the same or in equal numbers; In this case only one or more representative elements may be designated by reference numbers, but it will be understood that these reference numbers apply to all the same elements. Unless otherwise indicated, all drawings in this specification are not drawn to scale and are selected for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention. In particular, the dimensions of the various components are shown only from an illustrative point of view, and the relationship between the dimensions of the various components should not be inferred from the drawings unless so indicated.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, terms such as top, bottom, top, bottom, bottom, top, top, bottom, etc., the anchor assembly disclosed herein is downward-facing (e.g., Overhead-mounted) have their general meaning for that when positioned and oriented for installation into strut channels. If the anchor assembly is in this position, the vertical axis of the anchor assembly will have its usual meaning and is indicated by the axis A _v in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 and 2, the transverse axis A _t of the anchor assembly refers to a direction along the anchor assembly that is aligned with the long axis of the strut channel in which the anchor assembly is installed. The thickness axis A _h of the anchor assembly refers to a direction orthogonal to the vertical axis A _v and the horizontal axis A _t . The thickness axis will be aligned with the lateral (width) dimension of the strut channel in which the anchor assembly is installed, and will often be the shortest dimension of the anchor assembly (as in the case for the exemplary anchor assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Terms such as outward and inward specifically refer to directions along the thickness axis A _h of the anchor assembly; Inwardly is meant to be directed toward the position of the anchor assembly that is the most central along this axis; Outward orientation means a direction away from this central position, as discussed in detail later in this specification. Any feature designated herein as being an opening, orifice, or window will be understood to be a through hole that extends fully through the thickness of the plate and opens at both ends to allow passage. For convenience of description, terms such as first and second are used in their relative meaning.
As used herein as a modifier for a characteristic or attribute, the term "in general", unless specifically defined otherwise, the characteristic or attribute without requiring a high degree of approximation (eg, a quantifiable characteristic (Within +/−20% for )), which means that it will be readily recognizable by those skilled in the art. The term “substantially” means a high degree of approximation (eg, within +/- 5% for a quantifiable property), unless specifically defined otherwise. The term “essentially” means a very high degree of approximation (eg, within +/- 2% for a quantifiable property); It will be understood that the phrase “at least essentially” includes the specific case of “exact” match. However, "exact" agreement, or any other characterization using terms such as, for example, the same, equal, identical, uniform, constant, etc., rather than requiring absolute precision or perfect agreement, the usual tolerances or measurement errors applicable to a particular environment It will be understood as being within. The terms "constructed to" and similar terms are at least as limited as the term "applied to", and require actual design intent to perform specific functions rather than mere physical ability to perform these functions.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, an anchor assembly 1 configured to be installed into a strut channel 300 is disclosed herein. The anchor assembly 1 comprises first and second plates 10 and 110 slidably movable vertically (ie along the axis indicated by A _v in FIGS. 1 and 2 ). This relative movement can be achieved by movement of either or both of the plates 10, 110; In fact, it can often be most convenient to move the plate 110 relative to the plate 10 as will become apparent by the detailed discussion below. The upper end of each plate includes an upper head configured to engage a holder 304 of a strut channel 300 of the general type shown in FIG. 3. The first plate 10 includes at least one spreader lamp 50 positioned on the upper portion of the plate as can be seen in FIG. 1.

When the first and second plates 10 and 110 are ready for use, as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second plates 10 and 110 may be configured in the first preparation position. In this position, the upper heads 13 and 113 of these two plates can pass upwardly into the interior of the strut channel 300. The plates can then be slidably moved vertically with respect to each other, and this relative motion causes the spreader ramp(s) 50 to spread the upper ends of the plates apart from each other so that the plates 2 Be in the installation position. With the plates in their second installation position, the upper head of each plate can engage the holder 304 of the strut channel 300 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the anchor assembly 1 It is installed into the strut channel 300.

The anchor assembly 1 is configured for use with strut channels. Strut channels (sometimes referred to as channels or C-channels) are widely used for a variety of purposes in building structures, renovations, and the like. Examples of strut channels include various products available from Atkore International (Habi, Illinois, USA) under the trade names POWER-STRUT and UNISTRUT. An exemplary strut channel 300 is shown in cross section in FIG. 3; This strut channel typically includes a base 301, sidewalls 303, and holders 304, with holders 304 defining an opening 308 therebetween. These strut channels are often equipped with an upwardly oriented base 301 (as in FIG. 3), with the opening 308 facing downward and the major axis of the strut channel extending generally horizontally. Each holder 304 typically comprises an inwardly curved structure, which has, for example, a lower generally horizontally-oriented flange 306, from its inner end a generally upward-extending lip 307. This is extended to define an elongated slot 305. An exemplary strut channel 300 as shown in FIG. 3 is planar, correctly oriented in the vertical and horizontal directions, and shows a lower flange 306 and a lip 307 meeting at right angles, but in many cases In, the holder 304 may include, for example, a curved arched, rounded, etc. lower flange and/or lip such that the holder exhibits a “J” shape. An anchor assembly as disclosed herein can be used with any such strut channel, for example, regardless of the specific design of the holders of the strut channel. The strut channel need not have any particular long length as long as it can accommodate the anchor assembly 1 therein. Indeed, in some embodiments, the strut channel is configured (e.g., profiled) to represent holders (e.g., each having a lower flange and lip) so that the anchor assembly is in the manner disclosed herein. It can take the form of any suitable fixture that can be installed into it. For example, such fixtures can be molded directly into a concrete slab.

The opening 308 (eg, downward-facing opening) of the strut channel 300 will represent the width W _o ; The interior 309 of the strut channel 300 will exhibit a width W _{i that} is wider than the width W _o , as shown in FIG. 3. In many convenient embodiments, strut channel 300 may be a nominal 1 5/8 inch wide strut channel widely used for many purposes. The 1 5/8 inch designation refers to the outer width of the strut channel; Such a strut channel may comprise a vertical height of, for example, 15/8 or 13/8 inches, for example, the inner width (W _i ) is 1.41 inches and the opening width (W _o ) is, for example, 0.81 It can be inches. However, strut channels are available in many configurations, shapes and sizes, for example, so-called junior channels, half channels, and the like. It will be appreciated that the anchor assemblies disclosed herein may be used with strut channels of any particular geometry by suitably changing the geometric parameters of the anchor assemblies.

The strut channel can be made of any convenient material, for example a metal such as steel, stainless steel, and the like. These metals may be subjected to any suitable coating, finishing, or treatment, for example, which may be oiled, galvanized, zinc coated, vapor coated, powder coated, thermoset epoxy coated, painted, and the like. In particular, the steel channels may be suitable for certain applications disclosed herein. However, the strut channel can be made of any material suitable for a particular purpose, such as a lightweight metal such as aluminum, an organic polymer resin (eg, a molded, extruded, or pultruded thermoplastic or thermoset material), and the like. In certain embodiments, the strut channel may be made of an organic polymer resin reinforced with inorganic fibers. Examples of such configurations include polyester resins, vinyl esters, or epoxy reinforced with glass fibers.

The base and/or sidewalls of the strut channel may be continuous or may be periodically interrupted by holes, slots, knockouts, or the like, as needed. In cases where the strut channel is buried into concrete, in order to improve the retention of the strut channel in the concrete, the strut channel extends outward from the base of the strut channel (e.g., upwards) and along the length of the channel. It may have protrusions spaced downward.

The first and second plates 10 and 110 of the anchor assembly 1 will be described in an exemplary embodiment with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are two plates (for clarity 6 and 7 are front views along the horizontal axis of the anchor assembly in which the plates are in the first preparation position (Fig. 6) and the second installation position (Fig. 7). Please note.

The first plate 10 represents an upper end 11 and a lower end 12 and comprises a first body 21 from which a first upper head 13 extends. The first upper head 13 comprises a first flange 14 extending at least generally outwardly in a first direction. The second plate 110 similarly represents an upper end 111 and a lower end 112 and comprises a second body 121 from which a second upper head 113 extends. The second upper head 113 of the second plate 110 includes a second flange 114 extending at least generally outward in a second direction at least substantially opposite to the first direction in which the first flange 14 extends. do. Thus, in some embodiments, the anchor assembly 1, when installed into the strut channel 300, has the flanges 14 of the plates 10, 110 lying on the upper surface of the ribs 307 of the strut channel. , 114 can be supported by holders 304 of the strut channel 300 through the outward ends. However, in some embodiments, the first outward-extending flange 14 of the first plate 10 may include a first lip 15 extending downward therefrom; Similarly, the second outward-extending flange 114 of the second plate 110 may include a second lip 115 extending downward therefrom, both of which are as shown in FIGS. . In this case, the anchor assembly 1, when installed into the strut channel 300, is at least through the lower tip of the ribs 15, 115 lying on the upper surface of the flanges 306 of the strut channel 300 Can be partially supported. That is, when these ribs are present, for example, as in FIG. 2, the ribs 15 and 115 of the anchor assembly 1 may stay in the elongated slots 305 of the strut channel 300 / Alternatively, the ribs 307 of the strut channel 300 may stay in the elongated slots 17, 117 of the plates 10, 110 of the anchor assembly 1. In some embodiments, the lip of the plate may be beveled or chamfered as in the bevel 16 of the lip 15 of the plate 10. Flanges 14, 114 and/or ribs 15, 115 are often along a significant portion of the transverse length of the upper end of each plate (e.g., as in the exemplary design of FIGS. 4 and 5 Like) at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, or essentially 100% of this length) without interruption. However, in some embodiments, any of these may be periodically interrupted and/or spaced along the transverse length of the upper end of the plate.

The first plate 10 comprises an inward side 22 and an outward side 25; In many embodiments, the inward side 22 comprises a major surface 23 which may be at least generally planar over a large portion of its area (provided that this includes various features, as described in detail later herein. , For example, can be interrupted by spreader lamps, through holes, etc.). The second plate 110 similarly includes an inward side 122 with a major surface 123, and an outward side 125. The first plate 10 comprises an abutment region 24 and the second plate 110 comprises a complementary abutment region 124; Adjacent areas means that these areas will be in close proximity to each other; That is, they will be within 0.5 mm of each other throughout their closest positioned planar regions when the first and second plates are in their first ready position (as in FIG. 6). In many cases, the regions 24 and 124 will contact each other when the plates are in the first ready position. Often, adjacent regions 24 and 124 will occupy a significant portion of their respective major surfaces 23 and 123. Typically, the interface between the adjacent regions 24 and 124 of the plates 10 and 110 will be the most central region of the anchor assembly 1 for the purpose of establishing inward and outward directions, as previously mentioned herein. will be.

The first plate 10 includes at least one spreader lamp 50. The spreader lamp means a lamp positioned on the upper part of the first plate 10 and protruding inward when the plates are in their first ready position. Protruding inward means that the spreader lamp 50 extends toward the second plate 110 away from the first plate 10 from which it is derived. (This term includes certain embodiments in which the spreader lamp extends away such that a portion thereof may protrude beyond a portion of the second plate 110 as discussed later herein.) In this configuration, a first 2 When the plate 110 is moved upward relative to the first plate 10 (e.g., from the position in FIG. 6 to the position in FIG. 7), the interference surface of the second plate 110 becomes the spreader lamp 50 ), it will forcefully displace the upper end 111 of the second plate 110 away from the upper end 11 of the first plate 10. In other words, the spreader ramp 50 acts to spread the upper ends of the two plates when the plates are manipulated as disclosed herein.

Positioning on the upper portion of the first plate 10 means that the linear distance from the lowermost end of the first plate 10 to the uppermost end of the ramp 50 is at least 60% of the vertical height of the plate 10. It means that the spreader lamp 50 is positioned. (In this regard, the vertical height of the plate 10 is the linear distance from the bottom end of the first plate 10 to the top end of the first plate 10; this top end is often the flange of the top head 13 ( 14) will be provided by the top surface). In various embodiments, the spreader ramp 50 may be configured such that this linear distance is at least 70, 80, 90, or 95% of the vertical height of the plate. (In a specific example, the spreader lamp 50 as shown in Figs. 4 to 7 is configured such that this value is approximately 90%).

The spreader ramp 50 of the first plate 10 comprises an inwardly facing surface 51 (facing towards and/or past the second plate 110) as shown in FIG. 4; Surface 51 is a contact surface that will be impacted by the interfering surface of the second plate 110 when the plates are slidably moved relative to each other. The spreader ramp 50 will, by definition, represent a ramp angle alpha (γ), which is the angle formed between the contact surface 51 and the inward major surface 23 of the first plate 10. The angle alpha is shown in Figure 6; In the exemplary design of Figure 6, the angle alpha is in the range of approximately 45 to 50 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle alpha can be at least 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees or 44 degrees; In further embodiments, the angle alpha can be up to 75 degrees, 65 degrees, 60 degrees, 55 degrees, 50 degrees, or 48 degrees. In many embodiments, the spreader lamp 50 will be inclined upward (eg, as in FIG. 4 ), which is less than the distance at which the spreader lamp 50 protrudes inward from the first plate 10. 1 means that it increases with the vertical upward distance from the junction of the spreader lamp 50 with the plate 10. (For example, in certain specific embodiments where the spreader lamps are not all on the same plate but are provided on different plates, the spreader lamp may be tilted downward as discussed later herein.)

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one spreader ramp 50 is two spreaders spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis of the first plate 10 and at least generally equidistant from the transverse center line of the first plate. They take the form of lamps (for example, when shown in FIG. 4, this transverse centerline will extend vertically and pass through the through holes 71, 62). However, any number (eg, 1, 3 or 4) of spreader lamps may be used. Where only a single spreader lamp is used, in some embodiments it may be centered in the transverse direction on the first plate 10 and/or it may be at least 50, 60, or more of the transverse range of the plate 10. It can extend along 70, 80, or 90%.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, an interference surface 119 of the second plate 110 is provided at the junction 118 of the flange 114 of the second plate 110 and the body 121. 6, the interference surface 119, when the second plate 110 is slidably moved upward relative to the first plate 10, the interference of the second plate 110 The surface 119 impinges on the contact surface 51 of the spreader lamp 50 and is pressed outward to move the upper end 111 of the second plate 110 away from the upper end 11 of the first plate 10. It is configured to open outwardly. In some embodiments, the interfering surface 119 may be radially treated (eg, to exhibit a local radius of curvature of 3, 5, 7, or 9 mm or greater) to improve the smoothness in which it occurs. (The junction 18 of the first plate 10 is not an interference surface, but can be similarly treated radially, for example to provide symmetry between the upper heads 13, 113 of the two plates) . Whether or not the interference surface 119 of the second plate 110 is treated radially or not, in some embodiments, the body of the first plate 10 (as can be seen, for example in FIG. 4) ( The junction 52 of the lamp 50 with 21) may be treated in a radial shape so as not to become a sharp bend or corner. In various embodiments, such joints may be treated radially to exhibit a local radius of curvature of at least 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mm. Features such as the spreader ramps and their contact surfaces, and flanges, ribs and interference surfaces of the upper heads of the plates may thus be arcuate when following the vertical and/or thickness direction of the plate, but (for example , As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 ), in many embodiments, these features may be planar as they follow the transverse direction of the plate.

6 and 7 show that as the second plate 110 slides upward with respect to the first plate 10, the contact between the upper ends of the two plates at some point is the spreader of the first plate 10 It shows that the contact surface 51 of the lamp 50 and the interference surface 119 of the second plate 110 no longer exist. Rather, the contact will now be between the leading (end) 54 of the spreader lamp 50 and the contact area 154 of the major surface 123 of the inward side 122 of the second plate 110. As will be apparent from FIG. 7, the tip 54 of the spreader ramp 50 of the first plate 10 is the contact area 154 of the major surface 123 of the second plate 110 until it reaches the stop point. ) Will traverse the path downwards. A small amount of additional flaring of the upper ends of the two plates can occur during this traversal; In many embodiments, most of the flaring may have already been achieved during the time the contact surface of the spreader lamp has contacted the interfering surface of the second plate. However, in some embodiments, the plates may be designed such that a significant portion of the flaring occurs while the tip of the spreader ramp of the first plate traverses the contact surface of the second plate (eg, a planar contact surface).

The first and second plates 10 and 110 will be described in an alternative exemplary embodiment with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are two plates (retainers, etc. are omitted in FIG. Included in FIG. 9) is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of two plates (retainers, etc. are also omitted) in a first preparation position, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a first preparation position and a second installation position Note that these are front views along the transverse axis of the anchor assembly with the plates in.

The first plate 10 as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 is similar in many points to the first plate 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and the main difference is the spreader of FIGS. 8 to 12. The lamps 50 (also two in number) are located somewhat vertically lower in the plate 10. However, in the exemplary design of Figures 8-12, the spreader lamps are still located in the upper part of the plate. Specifically, in the designs of FIGS. 8-12, the linear distance from the lower end of the plate 10 to the top end of the lamp 50 is approximately 80% of the vertical height of the plate 10.

Due to the lower positioning of the spreader lamps 50 in this embodiment, the second plate 110 has the spreader lamp of the first plate 10 when the first and second plates are in their first ready position. Complementary lamp-receiving windows (penetrating) sized, shaped and positioned such that a portion of 50 stays within the window 181 of the second plate 110 complementary to (configured to receive it) the spreader lamp. Holes) 181 are provided. (As will be evident in FIGS. 10 and 11, although in some cases the distal portion of the spreader lamp 50 may actually protrude beyond the outward surface of the second plate 110, the predicate “protruding inwardly” It will still be used to describe these spreader lamps.)

The first and second plates 10, 110 of this embodiment may be positioned on the upper portion of the second plate 110, for example, and will function according to the general principles outlined above. However, the interference surfaces 119 of the second plate 110 to which the contact surfaces 51 of the spreader lamps 50 come into contact when the second plate 110 moves upward relative to the first plate 10 As in the above-described embodiment, rather than by the junction 118 of the upper flange 114 with the body of the second plate 110, the lower sill (edge) 182 of the windows 181 ) Will be provided by. If required, the lower windowsills 182 of the windows 181 may be beveled, beveled, or radially processed to improve the smoothness of the opening process. However, in many embodiments this may not be necessary.

When moving the plates slidably away from the first ready position in FIG. 11, the interference surface 119 of the second plate 110 and the contact surface 51 of the spreader lamps 50 of the first plate 10 A collision with) will cause the upper ends of the two plates to flare each other. This will also cause the spreader lamps to exit their complementary windows. Once the plates have been slidably moved far enough so that the tip 54 of each spreader ramp exits its respective window, by any continued slidable movement of the plates, the tip is stopped in the general manner described above. It will traverse the path downwards along the contact area 154 of the major surface 123 of the second plate until a point is reached.

Whether in the design of the type shown in Figs. 4 to 7 or the design of the type shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the design, number and location of the spreader lamp(s) 50 can be changed as needed. It will be appreciated that the effects described herein can be achieved, for example, by a spreader lamp that exhibits a somewhat lower angular alpha and/or does not extend far from the body of the first plate. For example, a spreader lamp that is less protruding inwardly and/or lower-angled, for example, is a first while achieving similar effects (e.g., while still remaining in the upper portion of the first plate as discussed above). It can be positioned lower on the plate. It is also further noted that the contact surface 51 of the spreader lamp 50 need not necessarily be essentially, or exactly planar, or exhibit a constant angular alpha, as in the exemplary designs of FIGS. 4-7. Will make sense. For example, the contact surface of the spreader lamp may be slightly curved, concave, convex, or the like. In this case, the angle alpha will be measured as the average over the range of the contact surface of the spreader lamp.

Although the windows 181 are shown in FIGS. 8-10 with all material completely removed from them, all reason it may be necessary is that the distal end of the spreader lamp 50 is brought into and/or a portion of the window. It will be understood that this is to provide enough space to protrude through. Thus, in some embodiments, the window of the plate may be a tabbed window comprising a tab and an outwardly protruding tab coupled to the plate at an integral junction with the plate, for example at the bottom edge of the window. These tabs may be similar to the spreader lamp 50 (except that it protrudes outwardly away from the other plate instead of protruding inwardly toward the other plate). In some embodiments, such a tab may be inclined or otherwise configured such that at least a portion of the inwardly directed major surface of the tab is complementary to at least a portion of the contact surface 51 of the spreader lamp 50. In this case, this portion of the inwardly facing surface of the tab may act as an interference surface 119 having the function as described above.

In embodiments where there are multiple (e.g., two) spreader lamps and complementary windows, in the general manner shown in Figs. 8-12, the spreader lamps are all on one plate and the windows are all It may not have to be on another plate. Rather, in some specific embodiments, each plate may have at least one spreader lamp and at least one window configured to receive a spreader lamp of the other plate. In this case, the spreader ramps will each project inwardly (ie, towards the other plate) as described above. However, one such ramp is tilted downward (rather than tilting upward in the manner of the lamps 50 of Figs. 8 and 9) and the other lamp can be tilted upward. In this case, it would be useful to have the junction of the downwardly inclined ramp and its plate vertically offset from the junction of the upwardly inclined ramp and its plate (e.g., positioned at a higher vertical position). I can. (Complementary windows can be vertically offset from each other to the extent necessary to accommodate this configuration). This means that when the plates are in their second installation position-the tip 54 of each spreader ramp has reached its final stop on the contact surface of the facing plate-and the tips of the ramps are at least substantially or essentially each other. It can be provided vertically.

1 and 2, the first and second plates may be slidably moved from the first preparation position to the second installation position. This process will now be described in detail with respect to Figures 6 and 7 (and similar Figures 11 and 12). First of all, except for the presence of various retainers-these will be described later -, as in Fig. 6, with the first plate 10 and the second plate 110 in their first ready configuration, the second plate The second upper head 113 of 110 is positioned lower than the first upper head 13 of the first plate 10. 7, with the first plate 10 and the second plate 110 in their second installation position, the second upper head 113 of the second plate 110 is the first plate 10 ) Is positioned at least substantially the same height as the first upper head 13 of.

In this case, the term height specifically refers to the vertical position of the force-transmitting structure of the upper head of the plate when the plate is in its second installation position. The force-transmitting structure will typically be any part of the upper head and will be any part that contacts the holder of the strut channel in a load-transmitting manner. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 7, the force-transmitting structure of the upper head 13 of the first plate 10 may be the lower tip of the lip 15 (this tip is of the flange 306 of the strut holder). If placed on the floor). Alternatively, the force-contact structure may be the bottom surface of the flange 14 of the first plate 10 (this is the case where this surface of the flange 14 is contacted by the upper tip of the lip 307 of the strut holder). In some embodiments, both of these structures can act in combination.

The requirement that the second upper head 113 of the second plate 110 must be positioned at least substantially the same vertical height as the first upper head 13 of the first plate 10 is thus the force-transmitting structure of the two plates. This means they will be at least approximately the same vertical height. In further embodiments, these two vertical heights may be at least substantially or essentially the same. These configurations can ensure that any load placed on the anchor assembly 1 and on the strut channel 300 is evenly distributed on the two plates of the anchor assembly and the two sides of the strut channel. In some embodiments, all corresponding portions of the first upper head 13 and the second upper head 113 may be in the same vertical position when the plates are in their second installation configuration. For example, the first and second upper heads may be mirror images facing oppositely as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. However, this is not necessary; For example, the flange 14 of the first plate 10 may be bent upward so that a portion thereof remains in a higher vertical position than the flange 114 of the second plate 110.

As will be apparent from FIG. 7, when the first and second plates are in their second installation position, the upper end 111 of the second plate 110 (actually, for example, a small Except for the area, most of the vertical extent of both plates) is displaced outward away from the upper end 11 of the first plate 10. This can be contrasted with when the first and second plates are in their first ready position as in FIG. 6. This difference can be characterized by the flaring angle theta θ as illustrated in FIG. 12. As defined herein, the flaring angle theta is between the inward major surfaces 23, 123 of the first and second plates 10, 110, at the lower end 5 of the anchor assembly 1 It will be measured from the vertex. In various embodiments, the flaring angle theta may be at least 1.5 degrees, 2.0 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 3.0 degrees, or 3.5 degrees. In further embodiments, the flaring angle theta may be up to 10 degrees, 8.0 degrees, 6.0 degrees, 5.5 degrees, 5.0 degrees, 4.5 degrees, or 4.0 degrees. (In a specific example, the flaring angle theta for the exemplary anchor assembly of FIG. 12 is approximately 4 degrees).

These angles may seem small, but in practice they are larger compared to the "angle" that exists between the main inward surfaces 23 and 123 when the plates are in their first ready position. When the plates are in this first ready position, these surfaces will be 1.0 degree or less parallel to each other. The change from a first ready configuration in which these surfaces are parallel to each other, e.g., within 1.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees, or even 0.2 degrees, to those exhibiting a flaring angle of at least 1.5 degrees, 2.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees or more is disclosed herein. It will be appreciated that it is possible to provide sufficient flaring of the upper ends of the plates to achieve the objectives.

The displacement of the upper ends of the plates can also be characterized in terms of plate spacing. As defined herein, the plate spacing is the highest position where these surfaces are still flat (e.g., the highest position before each plate begins to bend outward to form flanges 14, 114). Is the linear distance between the major surface 23 of the first plate 10 and the major surface 123 of the second plate 110, measured at. An exemplary plate spacing S _{p is} shown in FIG. 12. Such plate spacing may comprise any value (eg, from at least 3, 4, 6, or 8 mm to a maximum of 16, 14, 12 or 11 mm) corresponding to the installation into a particular strut channel. This plate spacing is further characterized by obtaining a plate spacing ratio, which is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the plate spacing to the total width at the top end of the anchor assembly when the anchor assembly is in the second installation position. I can lose. (The overall width W _{t is} shown in Fig. 12). In various embodiments, this plate spacing ratio may be at least about 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20%. In other embodiments, this plate spacing ratio can be up to 40, 35, 30, 25, or 22%. (In a specific example, the plate spacing ratio for the exemplary anchor assembly of FIG. 12 is about 20%).

The first and second plates 10, 110 can be made of any suitable material. In certain embodiments, such a plate may be made of steel, for example stainless steel such as grade 304 steel, galvanized steel, and the like. In other embodiments, the plate may be made of a lightweight metal such as aluminum, for example. In other embodiments, the plates can be made of an organic polymeric resin, such as a molded, extruded, or pultruded thermoplastic or thermoset material. In certain embodiments, the plate can be made of an organic polymer resin reinforced with inorganic fibers (eg, fiberglass). Examples of such configurations include fiberglass-reinforced polyester resins, vinyl esters, or epoxy.

Such plates can be made using any suitable manufacturing process. In various embodiments, the plate may be manufactured, for example, by machining a block of metal by forging or the like. In particularly convenient embodiments, the plate may be fabricated starting from a flat layer of suitable material (eg, 1/16 inch, 1/8 inch, or 3/16 inch thick sheet steel). The flat layer of material can be cut (eg, by laser cutting) to provide a shaped piece with an outer periphery. The flat layer of material can then be controllably deformed (bent) to form the upper head, for example by suitable metal-forming methods. Bending can be performed in a single step or in a series of steps. The layer of material can be cut to provide various through-holes, for example as discussed herein. (This cutting can be done after the bending process, but in many embodiments, performing these through-hole-cutting steps, for example, with the process of cutting the plate to form its outer periphery, while the layer is still in a flat shape. It can be convenient to do). If the plate is a molded organic polymer material, the upper head can be molded as an integral protrusion of the plate. In some embodiments, the separately manufactured upper head may be attached to the plate by, for example, adhesive bonding, welding or soldering, solvent welding, or the like.

At least one such plate has a spreader lamp as discussed in detail herein. In some embodiments, such a spreader lamp may be a separately manufactured component mounted on a plate (eg, on its major surface) by lamination methods. For example, a separately manufactured spreader lamp may be welded on the surface of the plate, and may be attached to the plate by, for example, adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, or solvent welding. If the plate is a molded organic polymer material, the spreader lamp can be molded as an integral projection of the plate.

In many embodiments (eg, where the plate is made of a metal such as steel), it may be convenient to fabricate the spreader lamp by cutting a generally U-shaped through hole through the thickness of the plate. In the through hole, a tab bounded on three sides by the through hole is held, and the tab is made of the same material as the plate and is joined to the plate at an integral joint with the plate. The tab can then be subjected to a metal-bending process, for example to form a spreader lamp of the general type shown in FIG. 4. Any suitable number of spreader lamps can be provided in this way. (If the window of the plate is a tabbed window as previously described herein, this tab can be fabricated by steps similar to those described to form a spreader ramp.)

The spreader lamp can be of any suitable shape; For example, it may be generally triangular rather than rectangular as shown in FIG. 4. For example, a V-shaped cut can be formed in the plate with the apex of V as the top, and the resulting tabs are bent around an axis extending across the lower open end of the V to form a spreader ramp. The resulting triangular spreader lamp may, for example, resemble the can-perforated portion of a "church key" can opener. In some embodiments, the spreader ramp is not bent about an axis that is generally aligned with the transverse axis of the plate, as leading the tab to the general type of spreader ramp illustrated in Figure 4, but about an axis that is generally aligned with the vertical axis of the plate. It can be formed by bending. In this case, the contact surface of the lamp may be provided by the minor edge surface of the lamp and not the major surface as in the design of FIG. 4. Such a bendable tab may be provided, for example, by forming a generally V-shaped cut in the plate, with the open end of the V being oriented generally along the vertical axis of the plate. The tab can then be bent around an axis extending across the open end of V to form a spreader ramp. In a variant of this example, the plate can be cut from the sheet so that when the sheet is in its initial flat shape, the first and second triangular tabs extend from the first and second transverse peripheral edges of the plate. Each tab extends generally (e.g., generally aligned with the transverse edge of the plate) along the vertical axis of the plate to provide first and second spreader ramps at the first and second transverse edges of the plate. It can be bent around its axis. It will be appreciated that many variations of the design of spreader lamps are included in the disclosure herein. Moreover, the tabs bent to form a spreader lamp can be subjected to post-treatment, shaping, etc. as necessary. For example, in the case of a spreader lamp of the generally triangular "beer can opener" type, the terminating end of the spreader lamp is machined, polished, flattened, chamfered, for example to provide that the lamp does not terminate at a sharp tip. Beveling, etc. can be performed.

In some embodiments, for example, a plate as disclosed herein comprising an upper head and a spreader lamp, if present, is an integral body (e.g., manufactured by bending and cutting one flat sheet of material). It will be clear from these discussions that it can be. To this one-piece body, various separately manufactured components (eg, retainers, locking devices, etc.) may be added, as discussed below. Thus, in some embodiments, the spreader lamp will be integrally coupled to the body of the plate by an integral joint. The terms such as an integral body, an integral protrusion, an integral joint, or a joint indicate the condition that the mentioned components are part of a single single body, and all components are made of the same material. Specifically, this configuration excludes any configuration in which a separately manufactured component is attached to the plate or added to the plate by additive manufacturing methods.

The plate (e.g., made of stainless steel) can be subjected to any suitable coating, finish, or treatment, for example it can be oiled, galvanized, zinc coated, vapor coated, powder coated, thermoset epoxy coated, Painting or the like can be performed. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the major surface of the plate (e.g., a lower portion of the outward major surface of the plate) may be textured (e.g., by knurling), and an anti-slip coating or By applying the treatment or the like, the ease with which the user can hold the plate and perform the operations disclosed herein is improved.

In some embodiments, the first plate 10 and the second plate 110 collectively providing the anchor assembly 1 may be provided as separate components that are not connected to each other (however, they are, for example, Items to be supported by the anchor assembly can be connected to each other when fastened to each plate). In other embodiments, the first plate 10 and the second plate 110 are connected to each other by one or more retainers. Exemplary retainers 210 that can be used for this purpose are shown in the front view of FIG. 6 and the exploded perspective view of FIG. 9. Any such retainer may be detachable from at least one of the plates such that the plates may be separated from each other; In many embodiments, such a retainer may connect the plates together in a non-separable manner. Non-separable means that in general use of the anchor assembly 1 the plates cannot be separated from each other without breaking or damaging any or all of the plates and retainer(s).

Any such retainer should allow a slidable vertical movement of the two plates relative to each other. One exemplary configuration is most easily shown in FIG. 9. The retainer 210 as shown herein includes an elongated shank 211 and enlarged ends 212 (one of the ends may be formed after the retainer is positioned on the plates). do. The shank 211 passes through the holding opening 161 of the second plate 110 and through the holding opening 61 of the first plate 10. The retaining opening 161 and the retaining opening 61 will be sufficiently aligned with each other to allow this. The retaining opening 61 is in the form of a slot extending at least generally along the vertical axis of the plate 10 to allow the plates to slide vertically relative to each other while remaining connected to each other by the retainer(s) 210.

Any such retainer should allow the first and second plates to be spaced apart from each other at least by an amount that allows the function described herein. In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, retainers are mounted on the lower portion of the plates. The flaking occurring in the lower part of the plates will be less than the flaring occurring in the upper end of the plates, but nonetheless retainers positioned in the lower part of the plates can still tolerate at least some amount of flaring. In the illustrated embodiment, this means that when the plates are in their second installation position, the long length of the retainers 210 (e.g., the distance between the two magnifying heads 212) is at least outside of the two plates. This is achieved by providing as large as the local distance to be present between the surfaces. This approach can be easily understood through the observation of FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the retainer may, for example, be expandable along the thickness direction of the two plates to allow plate flaking to occur.

Any retainer of any design can be used as long as it allows for the required plate flaring. As mentioned above, in some embodiments such a retainer may be a component manufactured separately from the plates 10 and 110 and then installed thereon. In the exemplary design of FIG. 9, the retaining openings 161 are in the second plate 110 and the retaining slots 61 are in the first plate 10; These positions can be switched; Alternatively, each plate may include one retaining opening and one retaining slot. If one opening/slot pair is provided, it may be convenient to center them in the transverse direction of the plates; If multiple pairs are provided, it may be useful to bracket them to the transverse centerline of the plates, for example, as in the exemplary design of FIG. 9.

In some embodiments, the anchor assembly 1 may include one or more locks that are engageable to lock the first plate 10 and the second plate 110 in their second installation position. Such a locking device may be configured to prevent the first and second plates from moving vertically slidably relative to each other and entering the first ready position away from the second installation position when the locking device is engaged. In some embodiments, the lock can be manually engaged once the plates are in their second installation position. In other embodiments, the locking device may be configured to automatically engage in a slidable vertical movement of the first and second plates from the first ready position to the second installation position. In further embodiments, the locking device may be configured such that the locking device must be manually disengaged to allow the first and second plates to move slidably vertically from the second installation position to the first ready position.

Any suitable locking device of any design or configuration may be used for these purposes. An exemplary locking device 220 is shown in FIG. 9. The locking device 220 is configured to work with the locking device opening 171 of the second plate 110 and the keyhole opening 71 of the first plate 10. The keyhole opening 71 comprises a vertically elongated slot portion 73, which is upwardly coupled to a circular portion 72 having a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the slot portion 73 (called a circular portion. Note that the terminology is used for convenience of description and this part 72 need not be strictly circular).

The exemplary locking device 220 includes an elongate member 221 that includes a shank 224. The member 221 includes a first longitudinal portion 222 passing through the keyhole opening 71 of the first plate 10 when the plates are in their first ready position. The first longitudinal portion 222 is sized to fit within the circular portion 72 of the keyhole opening 71, but an extended-diameter that is too large to fit within the slot portion 73 of the keyhole opening 71. It includes a shoulder 223. The elongate member 221 includes a second longitudinal portion 225 passing through the lock opening 171 of the second plate 110. The locking device 220 comprises magnifying heads 227 to hold the locking device 220 on the anchor assembly 1 (in the illustrated embodiment, one magnifying head 227 is It is a washer held on the end of the portion 225 by an enlarged diameter lip).

The locking device 220 is shoulderless of the first longitudinal portion 222 of the elongate member 221 when the first and second plates 10 and 110 are in their first ready position. The portion stays in the slot portion 73 of the keyhole opening 71 of the first plate 10; The second longitudinal portion 225 of the elongate member 221 is configured to stay within the lock opening 171 of the second plate 110. As the plates move slidably relative to each other, the first longitudinal portion 222 is in the slot portion 73 of the keyhole opening 71 until it reaches the circular portion 72 of the keyhole opening 71. Slides upward at At this time, at least the first longitudinal portion 222 of the elongate member 221 is then pressed along the thickness direction of the plates so that the extended-diameter shoulder portion 223 enters and stays snugly within the circular portion 72 Can be. In some embodiments, this may be done manually, for example via a locking device 220 operated by a user of the anchor assembly 1. However, in the exemplary illustrated embodiment, this is done automatically when the second plate 110 is moved slidably far enough upward relative to the first plate 10. This can be achieved by providing a biasing element (in this case, a compression spring as most easily seen in FIG. 9) 226 that presses the elongate member 221 in the appropriate direction along the thickness axis of the plates. This means that as soon as the elongate member 221 is moved far enough upwards along the keyhole opening 71 so that the shoulder portion 223 of the member 221 can fit into the circular portion 72, the deflecting member It can be provided to allow 223 to enter and stay within the circular portion 72. The locking device 220 will then be in a locked configuration of the type shown in FIG. 7, where the shoulder 223 prevents the elongate member from moving downward into the slot portion 73.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 220 will automatically engage to lock the plates when they are slidably moved to their second installation position. In the illustrated embodiment, in order to slidably move the plates back to the first ready position, the shoulder portion 223 no longer prevents the elongated member 221 from slidably moving downward into the slot portion 73 In order to position the extended-diameter shoulder portion 223 outside the second plate 110 so that it does not, move the elongate member 221 in a direction opposite to that described above (e.g., three with washers 227). It will be necessary to press manually (by pressing the end of the elongated member 221 ).

In a manner similar to the retainer(s) described above, any such locking device will be configured to allow the first and second plates to be spaced apart from one another to the extent necessary. The locking device 220 as shown herein is only one exemplary configuration and is any suitable whether it is an automatic engagement or requires a manual engagement, and whether it is an automatic disengagement or a manual disengagement. It will be appreciated that a locking device may be used. For example, in some embodiments where it is desired to permanently install the anchor assembly 1 into the strut channel, this locking device cannot be disengaged either manually or automatically. In some specific embodiments, any such lock may function as a retainer that at least assists in holding the first and second plates together. In some specific embodiments, such a locking mechanism may be suitable for this purpose such that additional retainers (eg, retainers 210 as described above) are not required.

The anchor assembly 1 is configured to be installed into the strut channel 300 and configured to facilitate attachment of the item to the anchor assembly such that the item is supported by the installed anchor assembly. The term “item” broadly includes any entity, device, system, collection of components, etc. that are required to be attached and supported in this manner, as discussed in detail later herein. In some embodiments, to facilitate such attachment, the anchor assembly may be provided with a first attachment orifice 62 in the first plate 10 and a second attachment orifice 162 in the second plate 110. have. The attachment orifices are aligned with each other, sized and shaped to allow the fastener to pass through the aligned attachment orifices (note that this does not necessarily require all parts of the orifices to be exactly aligned with each other). In some embodiments, at least one of the attachment orifices (in the exemplary view of FIG. 9, the attachment orifice 162 of the second plate 110) may be a vertical elongate slot in which the fastener moves freely to be slidably. have. It will be appreciated that this can be provided so that if the fasteners already exist when the anchor assembly 1 is installed, the fasteners do not prevent the first and second plates from moving slidably relative to each other vertically. will be. In a manner similar to the retainer(s) described above, any such fasteners, and attachment orifices that function with them, will be configured to allow the first and second plates to be spaced apart from one another to the extent necessary. In general, the anchor assembly 1 may be configured in any suitable manner to accommodate any fasteners that may be used to attach the item to the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor assembly may include a single attachment orifice within one plate, while the other plate may not include an attachment orifice.

In some embodiments, such a fastener (eg, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) may be, for example, a carabiner 7 or similar device; Such fasteners can be used, for example, to attach the safety strap to the anchor assembly 1. In certain embodiments, this safety strap may be a so-called self-winding lifeline (SRL). In this case, the housing of the SRL can be attached directly to the carabiner; A tether, wire, cable, etc. may be attached to the anchor assembly 1 with the housing of the SRL attached to the rope.

As disclosed herein, the anchor assembly 1 may be held in a first ready position until it is installed into, for example, an overhead-mounted down-facing strut channel 300. In this case, the upper end 3 of the anchor assembly 1 may be inserted upward through the opening 308 of the strut channel 300. The overall width of the upper end of the anchor assembly (anchor assembly is in the first ready configuration) is sufficiently small compared to the width W _o of the opening 308 of the strut channel 300 to allow this to be done. In some embodiments, the overall width of the upper end of the anchor assembly will be sufficiently smaller than the width W _o of the opening 308 so that the upper end of the anchor assembly can pass directly upward through the opening 308. In other embodiments, the overall width of the upper end of the width of the anchor assembly is slightly inclined with respect to one side and then with respect to the other, to facilitate passage of the anchor assembly through the opening 308 and through the upper end of the anchor assembly. It can be something that allows you to lose.

Once the upper heads 13 and 113 of the first and second plates 10 and 110 are within the interior 309 of the strut channel 300, the first and second plates 10 and 110, They can be moved vertically slidably relative to each other so that they move from their first ready position to their second loading position. The concept of the relative movement of the plates includes moving the first plate downward relative to the second plate, or moving both plates, but in some embodiments, such relative movement primarily moves the second plate to the first plate. May involve moving upwards for. In practice, it is anchored until the upper end 11 of the first plate 10 (e.g., the upper surface of the flange 14) contacts the ceiling 302 of the base 301 of the strut channel 300. This can be conveniently achieved by moving the assembly 1 upward. At this point, further upward movement of the first plate 10 is not possible, and the continuous upward pressure of the anchor assembly 1 causes the second plate 110 to slide vertically upward with respect to the first plate 10, thereby causing the plate Will be placed in their second installation location. (Because the upper end of the first plate 10 will contact the ceiling of the base of the strut channel, the upper end of the second plate 110 will not be able to be positioned higher than the upper end of the first plate 10 .) At this point, if present, the lock can be self-engaged, or manually engaged. After the plates are inserted into their second installation position, the entire anchor assembly can be slightly lowered to a position where the upper heads of the plates engage the holders of the strut channel (ie, to a position as shown in FIG. 2).

During installation of the anchor assembly 1 into the strut channel 300, the anchor assembly 1 can be held in the user's hand; It may be most convenient to grip the lower part of the anchor assembly 1 for use. When the plates are in their first ready position, the lowermost end of the second plate 110 may be positioned lower than the lowermost end of the first plate 10 (e.g., as will be apparent from FIG. 6). Will make sense. Therefore, in order to slide the second plate 110 into the second installation configuration, it will be simple to push upward from the lower end of the second plate 110 (for example, the user It can be pushed upward at the bottom edge).

If it is desired to dismount the anchor assembly from the strut channel, the above procedures can be reversed. In many embodiments, the locking device may be manually disengaged as part of this process. In many embodiments, the first and second plates 10, 110 (e.g., as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2) are at least substantially each other during all stages of the installation process. It will be appreciated that it can be kept in a transverse alignment. This, for example, is inserted into the strut channel in a misaligned configuration in which the first and second plates are misaligned (e.g., at separate locations along the length of the strut channel), and then connect the plates together to form an anchor assembly. It can be contrasted with a configuration that is slidably moved along the channel so as to be transversely aligned with each other in order to achieve this.

In some embodiments, the anchor assembly 1 may be provided with first and second visual indicators 204 that can be visually observed to ensure that the anchor assembly 1 is properly installed in the strut channel. have. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the first visual indicator 204 is the underside of the first outward-extending flange 14 of the first upper head 13 of the first plate 10. It may be provided on the outward area 205 of. Similarly, a second visual indicator 204 may be provided on an outward area of the underside of the second outward-extending flange 114 of the second upper head 113 of the second plate 110. One or both of these visual indicators are from below when the upper heads of the plates are inserted upwards through the opening 308 of the strut channel 300, but the upper heads of the plates have not yet flared outward into their installation position. You will be able to see it. After the upper heads of the plates are flared outward and the anchor assembly is lowered so that the upper heads of the plates engage the holders of the strut channel, the inward portions of the holders (e.g., ribs 307) are no longer visible for visual indicators. So that it will cover them (as seen below). This can be considered as an indication that the anchor assembly has properly flared into its installed position and has engaged with the strut channel.

Visual indicator 204 can be configured in any suitable manner. The width of the indicator 204 along the thickness axis of the anchor assembly and its placement along this axis may be selected to provide that the indicator is visible before engaging the strut channel and obscured after successful installation. Although exemplary indicators 204 as shown in FIG. 10 extend continuously along the entire long length of the outward region 205 of each respective flange of each plate, these indicators may be discontinuous and/or flanged. It may be disposed only along a portion of the long length of the outward area 205 of. The indicators may be substantially identical to each other or may be different from each other.

The visual indicator 204 may include any material or treatment that will adequately provide sufficient visibility, for example, under ambient-light conditions and/or when illuminated by a flashlight. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may take the form of one or more pieces of material (eg, long lengths) that exhibit suitable visibility. In some convenient embodiments, this indicator may take the form of a long length, high-visibility (e.g., brightly colored) pressure-sensitive adhesive tape adhesively attached to the desired area 205 of the underside of the flange. . However, any required attachment method may be used. For example, any suitable adhesive (eg, whether photocuring, thermal curing, moisture curing, etc. is performed) can be used to attach the high-visibility material to the desired area.

The above embodiments are examples of a general approach in which an existing high-visibility material (eg, film or sheet) is bonded to the required area. In other embodiments, a visual indicator may be provided by using a liquid material, which is deposited (eg coated) on the desired area 205 and then solidified to form a visual indicator. These approaches may rely on the use of any suitable coating, paint, lacquer, varnish, etc., provided with one or more of, for example, pigments, dyes, reflective particles, etc. to impart the required visibility.

The visual indicator 204 need not strictly or even partially rely on the actual color of the indicator. Rather, in some embodiments, reflective properties of the indicator (which may or may not be wavelength-independent) may provide or at least contribute to a visual indication. This can be particularly useful, for example, in cases where the anchor assembly is installed into a strut channel in the ceiling in a relatively dark or unlit location. In such cases, the user (or inspector, or other qualified person) may illuminate a flashlight on the anchor assembly to determine whether the assembly is properly installed. Thus, a visual indicator that provides a reflective signal can be used (of course, strictly speaking, there will usually be no reflective signal, which will confirm that the indicator is obscured by the strut channel, indicating that the assembly is properly installed).

Thus, in some embodiments, a visual indicator 204 that exhibits highly reflective, for example specular reflective properties, may be used (such a reflective indicator may of course also have a distinct or bright color). In some examples, such an indicator may take the form of one or more pieces of reflective adhesive tape that exhibit specular reflection, for example. Such tapes may include, for example, metallized tape backing or the like. Alternatively, such a visual indicator may be provided by coating (eg, plating or vapor-coating) one or more regions of region 205 with chromium, aluminum, gold, or any other suitable highly reflective metal.

The above embodiments show that the outward area 205 of the underside of the flange of the plate is compared to the existing unmodified inward area 206 of the underside of the flange of the plate, compared to a visual signal (e.g., a noticeable color and/or Or are examples of general approaches that are modified or processed to show higher reflectivity). However, in some embodiments, the inward area 206 may be modified such that the outward area 205 exhibits a visual signal compared to the inward area 206. For example, in many convenient embodiments, the plates 10, 110 of the anchor assembly 1 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel, for example. In this case, for example, at least some regions of the plates including the underside of the outward-extending flanges may have a relatively smooth surface (eg, may be polished with a mirror finish). These surfaces can be highly reflective in nature. In such cases, the outermost region 205 of the underside of the outward-extending flange of the plate may remain “as is”, while the inwardmost (neighboring) region 206 of the underside may be ground, for example. It may be worn, worn, sandblasted, etched, or otherwise treated to roughen or texturize the surface of these areas so that they are not highly reflective. Similar effects can be achieved, for example, by mounting a strip of dark-colored and/or matte-finish adhesive tape within the innermost region 206. Accordingly, the concept of the visual indicator as disclosed herein is changed to reduce its visibility with respect to the neighboring outermost region 205 of the innermost region 206 so that the outermost region can function as a visual indicator. It will be understood that it includes.

It will be appreciated that many variations on the above configurations are possible. Thus, in some embodiments, a strip of brightly colored (e.g., red) and/or reflective tape is mounted in the outermost region 205, with a dark non-reflective tape (e.g., matte-finish black). A strip of tape) may be mounted in the innermost region 206. In some embodiments, the visual indicator (whether in the form of a film, tape, coating, or treatment) is the procedures outlined in paragraph 0113 of US Patent Application Publication No. 20170276844, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for this purpose. When measured according to, it may be a retroreflectivity indicator indicating a retroreflection coefficient of at least 50, 100, 200 or 400 candelas per square meter per lux. In some embodiments, the visual indicator in the outermost region 205 may be provided with a protective coating (eg, a protective transparent film, or a so-called hardcoat, etc.) that improves the abrasion resistance of the indicator or region.

In some embodiments, during installation of the anchor assembly 1 into the strut channel, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14, the anchor assembly 1 is over the installation pole 402. Can be retained to form an installation assembly 401. This can allow the anchor assembly 1 to be installed in elevated and/or hard-to-reach places, without requiring the user to rise within the arm's length relative to the strut channel. To facilitate this use, the installation pole 402 is the lower end 5 of the anchor assembly 1 (i.e., the lower ends 12 and 112 of the first and second plates 10 and 110). It may include an installation head 403 that includes an upward-facing slot 404 into which the can be fitted. The pole can then be used to move the anchor assembly 1 upwardly into the desired strut channel. Once the upper end 11 of the first plate 10 contacts the ceiling of the strut channel, as shown in Fig. 14, in order to press the second plate 110 to move slidably to the second installation configuration Continuous upward movement can be applied. Once this is done, the anchor assembly can be lowered slightly to engage the holders of the strut channel, after which the pawl and installation head can be further lowered such that the lower end of the anchor assembly exits the slot 404.

In some embodiments, the anchor assembly 1 installed into the strut channel may be configured to be slidable along the long length of the strut channel. In other embodiments, the anchor assembly may be configured to remain in the installed position without moving along the strut channel.

13 and 14, in some embodiments, the anchor assembly 1 has a fastener 7 (in this case, a carabiner) connected to the anchor assembly before the anchor assembly is installed into the strut channel. I can. Indeed, in some embodiments, the fastener may already have an item (eg, self-winding lifeline) attached to the anchor assembly prior to being installed. To allow for these cases, if required, the installation head 403 may be provided with one or more actuators (e.g., spring-loaded pistons, clamps, etc.) holding the first and second plates 10, 110. ), such that the weight of the item attached to the plates does not slidably move vertically relative to each other in a manner that allows the plates to enter their second installation position before the required time. These actuators can be configured to withstand such gravity, but nevertheless, by a sufficiently large force (e.g., after the upper end of the first plate 10 contacts the ceiling of the strut channel, Overcome) by continuous upward pressure), allowing the plates to slide slidably to their second installation position at the required time.

In general, the anchor assembly 1 is installed into the strut channel 300 and may be configured to facilitate connection of any item to the anchor assembly such that the item can be supported by the installed anchor assembly. The term “item” is used extensively and includes any single item, collection of items, systems, devices, and the like, and specific examples are described below. In certain embodiments, the anchor assembly 1 may be used to allow the safety strap to be attached to the anchor assembly 1. The term safety cord is used extensively and includes any single wire or cable or a combination of multiple wires or cables connected to any suitable safety equipment. In certain embodiments, the safety strap may be a so-called self-winding lifeline (SRL). As previously mentioned herein, the SRL may comprise a housing that is connected to the anchor assembly 1 by, for example, a carabiner, a carabiner + a rope or the like. The SRL contains a reel within the housing, which allows the wire (typically attached to the operator's harness) to move with the operator as the operator moves relative to the elevated workplace, allowing the operator to move further to the housing. Allows the line to wrap automatically when moving close together. SRLs also include brakes (eg centrifugal brakes) that are triggered in the event of an operator fall, for example. Fall protection devices, such as self-winding lifeline, are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 783 349, 82556574, 8430206, 8430207, and 9486235. In general, the anchor assembly 1 as disclosed herein comprises a horizontal lifeline or retractable horizontal lifeline, a positioning lanyard or system, a shock-absorbing lanyard, a rope adjuster or rope grab, a load arrester, Vertical safety systems (e.g., flexible cables, rigid rails, climb assist, or fixed ladder safety systems), confined space rescue systems or hoist systems, etc. It can be used as part of any safety harness system. Thus, in summary, an anchor assembly as disclosed herein can be used as part of any required personal height-safe fall protection system, for example, as a self-winding lifeline, provided appropriate standards and procedures are followed.

As discussed below, some anchor assemblies covered by the present disclosure may be used for purposes other than fall protection; In such cases, the anchor assembly may only need to satisfy which requirements are appropriate for its particular use (and, for example, the components of the anchor assembly may be made of any material suitable for that application. have). However, it will be understood that any anchor assembly will be used only in accordance with the specific instructions provided for the designated use of that particular anchor assembly. And, any anchor assembly used with a personal height safety fall protection system will be used in accordance with the specific instructions provided and will meet all applicable government (e.g., local, state, federal, and/or national) standards. Will make sense. In some embodiments, the harness (eg, such as an SRL) used with the anchor assembly will meet the requirements of ANSI Z359.14-2012, as specified in 2012. In some embodiments, the anchor assembly will meet the requirements of ANSI Z369.18-2017 as specified in 2017.

In at least some embodiments where the anchor assembly 1 supports a safety line, such as an SRL, the anchor assembly 1 is a strut embedded within the surface of a concrete member, slab or platform (e.g., a down-facing surface). It may be installed into the channel 300. Any such strut channel used for fall protection purposes will meet all applicable standards and performance requirements and can hold a static load of, for example, 5000 pounds. In many embodiments, such a strut channel may be made of steel, for example. In these embodiments, the plates 10, 110 of the anchor assembly 1 have various features such as flanges, ribs, spreader ramps, windows, through holes, etc. (e.g., bending, rolling (by rolling, stamping, cutting, etc.) formed steel, for example, a 12 gauge steel sheet.

While the discussion of anchor assemblies herein primarily relates to their use with safety straps, it is noted that the anchor assembly 1 as disclosed herein can be used for any purpose where it is desired to attach an item to a strut channel. It is emphasized. Such items may be, for example, pipes, electrical conduits or raceways, HVAC ducts, and the like. These items are not limited to elongate items, for example. Thus, such items may be used to support, for example, pipe, plumbing, electrical, or lighting components, for example, plumbing components, electrical components, lighting components, or generally any brackets, clamps, It may be a fixture or the like. It will be appreciated that these uses may not necessarily require the same performance characteristics as would be required for a safety line such as an SRL. Thus, the anchor assembly for any of these uses can be made of any suitable material, e.g. plastic, reinforced plastic (e.g. fiber-reinforced plastic), composite materials, lightweight metals such as aluminum, and the like. . Likewise, for these purposes, such an anchor assembly can be installed into a strut channel made of plastic, reinforced plastic, aluminum or the like. As mentioned, the installation of the anchor assembly into the strut channel can be temporary (eg, during a certain period of operation) or permanent.

An anchor assembly as disclosed herein can be of any suitable shape and size. For example, an anchor assembly configured to be installed into a 1 5/8 inch wide strut channel may comprise a vertical height of, for example, 9 to 13 cm. The anchor assembly may exhibit any suitable transverse range that provides sufficient stability given the application to which the assembly will be applied. For example, the anchor assembly may comprise a transverse range of 4 to 10 cm, for example.

For the uses of the anchor assembly, it has been discussed to install the anchor assembly in a strut channel (e.g., an overhead-mounted strut channel) having a downward-facing open end, the base oriented upwards, but such an anchor assembly It should be noted that can be used in strut channels of other orientations (eg wall-mounted). In this case, the disclosures and descriptions provided herein still apply under the condition that the anchor assembly and/or strut channel is rotated in a vertical configuration to perform the evaluations and characterizations presented herein.

List of exemplary embodiments

Embodiment 1 is an anchor assembly comprising a first plate and a second plate connected to each other so as to be slidably movable relative to each other, wherein a first upper end of the first plate comprises a first flange extending outward in a first direction. And a second upper head including a second upper head including a second flange extending outwardly in a second opposite direction, and the second upper end of the second plate And at least one spreader lamp positioned in the upper portion.

Example 2 is the anchor assembly of Example 1, wherein the first and second plates have a first ready position and a second plate in which the second upper head of the second plate is positioned lower than the first upper head of the first plate. The second upper head of the first plate is positioned at least substantially the same vertical height as the first upper head of the first plate and the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate. It is slidably movable vertically with respect to each other.

Example 3 is the anchor assembly of Example 2, wherein when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, the second plate and the first plate are parallel within 1 degree to each other; When the first and second plates are in their second installation position, the second upper end of the second plate is inclined outwardly from the first upper end of the first plate so that the first and second plates are 2 to 5 degrees apart. Represents the angle.

Example 4 is the anchor assembly of Example 2 or 3, wherein when the first and second plates are in their second installation position, the upper end of the second plate is directed outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate. Displaced, the plates exhibit a plate spacing ratio of 10% to 30%.

Example 5 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 2 to 4, wherein when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, the first upper head of the first plate touches the top end of the anchor assembly. And the lower end of the second plate provides the lowermost end of the anchor assembly.

Example 6 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 2 to 5, wherein the second plate comprises at least one lamp-receiving window, and when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, At least a distal end portion of the at least one spreader ramp of the first plate protrudes through at least one ramp-receiving window of the second plate.

Example 7 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein at least one spreader ramp of the first plate exhibits a ramp angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

Example 8 is an anchor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein at least one spreader lamp of the first plate is integrally coupled to the body of the first plate by an integral joint exhibiting a radius of curvature of at least 2 mm. do.

Example 9 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate is a body of the first plate by an integral joint exhibiting a radius of curvature of at least 5 mm. Is integrally combined with

Example 10 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein at least one spreader ramp, outward-extending flange and body of the first plate are all parts of a single integral body, and at least one The spreader ramp protrudes and an outward-extending flange extends from the upper end of the body.

Example 11 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein at least one spreader ramp of the first plate is spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis of the first plate and is equidistant from the transverse center line of the first plate. And a first spreader lamp and a second spreader lamp.

Example 12 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the first and second plates pass through the first holding opening in the body of the first plate and the second holding opening in the body of the second plate. Inseparably connected to each other by at least one retainer passing through, the first and second retaining openings are at least generally aligned with each other, at least one of the openings is a vertical elongated slot, and the retainer is slidable along the slot Move freely.

Example 13 is the anchor assembly of Example 12, wherein at least one retainer still holds the first and second plates in a non-separably connected configuration from each other, while the body of the second plate is away from the body of the first plate. It is configured to be able to be displaced outwardly.

Example 14 is the anchor assembly of Example 12 or 13, wherein the first and second plates are non-separably connected to each other by two retainers, and the two retainers are apart from each other along the transverse axis of the first plate. .

Embodiment 15 is the anchor assembly of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the anchor assembly is configured to be installed into the strut channel, and the attachment of the item to the anchor assembly is carried out so that the item is supported by the installed anchor assembly. It is configured to facilitate.

Example 16 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the anchor assembly comprises a first attachment orifice in a lower portion of the body of the first plate and a second attachment orifice in the lower portion of the body of the second plate. And the attachment orifices are at least generally aligned with each other and sized and shaped such that the fastener of the safety line can pass through the attachment orifices.

Embodiment 17 is the anchor assembly of Embodiment 16, wherein at least one of the first and second attachment orifices is a vertical elongated slot, and the fastener moves freely slidably along the slot.

Example 18 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the anchor assembly is positioned at a vertical height with the second upper head of the second plate at least substantially the same as the first upper head of the first plate. In a second installation position in which the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate by a spreader ramp, the locking device includes an engaging locking device to lock the first and second plates, the locking device , When the locking device is engaged, the first and second plates are separated from the second installation position until the locking device is disengaged, so that the second upper head of the second plate is lower than the first upper head of the first plate. The first ready position to be positioned and configured to prevent slidably moving vertically relative to each other.

Example 19 is the anchor assembly of Example 18, wherein the locking device is configured to automatically engage in a slidable vertical movement of the first and second plates from a first ready position to a second installation position, and the first and It is configured such that the locking device must be manually disengaged in order to allow the second plates to be slidably moved vertically from the second installation position to the first ready position.

Embodiment 20 is the anchor assembly of embodiment 18 or embodiment 19, wherein the locking device comprises an elongated member comprising a first longitudinal portion passing through a keyhole opening in one of the plates, the first longitudinal portion Includes an extended-diameter shoulder sized to fit within the circular portion of the keyhole opening but too large to fit within the slotted portion of the keyhole opening, the elongate member comprising a locking device in the other of the plates And a second portion passing through the opening.

Example 21 is the anchor assembly of Example 20, wherein the locking device presses the first longitudinal portion of the elongate member inward toward the keyhole slot, and the second longitudinal portion of the member outwardly away from the locking device opening. It includes a biasing element to pressurize.

Embodiment 22 is the anchor assembly of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein the first outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate is configured to engage the first lip of the strut channel, and the second plate The second outward-extending flange of the second upper head of the is configured to engage the second facing lip of the strut channel.

Example 23 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the first outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate comprises a first lip extending downward therefrom, and the second plate The second outward-extending flange of the second upper head of the has a second lip extending downwardly therefrom.

Example 24 is the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 23, wherein the first visual indicator is provided on the outward area of the underside of the first outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate, Two visual indicators are provided on the outward area of the underside of the second outward-extending flange of the second upper head of the second plate.

Example 25 is an anchor-installation assembly comprising the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 24, wherein the lower end of the anchor assembly is within an upward-facing slot of the installation head located at the upper end of the installation pole. The fitted, upward-facing slot is configured to receive and support the lower end of the anchor assembly during remote installation into the strut channel of the anchor assembly by a user gripping the lower end of the installation pawl.

Example 26 is a method of inserting an anchor assembly into a strut channel, wherein the method includes inserting the upper end of the anchor assembly into the interior of the strut channel with the first plate and the second plate of the anchor assembly in a first ready position. step; Slidably moving the first and second plates relative to each other from the first preparation position to a second installation position in which the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate; And lowering the anchor assembly such that the first upper head of the first plate and the second upper head of the second plate respectively engage the holder of the strut channel.

Example 27 is the method of Example 26 using the anchor assembly of any one of Examples 1-25.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain illustrative elements, structures, features, details, configurations, and the like disclosed herein may be modified and/or combined in a number of embodiments. All such modifications and combinations are contemplated by the inventors as being within the scope of the contemplated invention and not such representative designs selected to serve as illustrative examples only. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the specific exemplary structures described herein, but rather, at least extend to the structures described by the language of the claims and their equivalents. Any element expressly stated as an alternative herein may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded from the claims, in any combination as necessary. Any element or combination of elements referred to herein in open language (e.g.,'comprises' and variations thereof) is a closed language (e.g.,'consists of' and variations thereof) and partially closed language ( For example,'consists essentially of' and variations thereof). In the event of a conflict or contradiction between the present specification in writing and the disclosure of any document incorporated herein by reference but for which priority is not claimed, the present specification in writing will control.

Claims (21)

As an anchor assembly,
A first upper head comprising a first plate and a second plate connected to each other so as to be slidably movable with respect to each other, the first upper end of the first plate including a first flange extending outward in a first direction Including, wherein the second upper end of the second plate includes a second upper head including a second flange extending outward in a second opposite direction,
Wherein the first plate includes at least one spreader ramp positioned in an upper portion of the first plate. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second plates include a first preparation position in which the second upper head of the second plate is positioned lower than the first upper head of the first plate, and the second plate A second installation in which the second upper head is positioned at least substantially the same vertical height as the first upper head of the first plate, and the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate An anchor assembly, slidably movable vertically relative to each other between positions. The method of claim 2, wherein when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, the second plate and the first plate are parallel to each other within 1 degree; When the first and second plates are in their second installation position, the second upper end of the second plate is inclined outwardly from the first upper end of the first plate, so that the first and second plates are 2 Anchor assembly showing a flaring angle of degrees to 5 degrees. The method of claim 2, wherein when the first and second plates are in their second installation position, the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate so that the plates are 10% An anchor assembly exhibiting a plate spacing ratio of to 30%. The method of claim 2, wherein when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, the first upper head of the first plate provides a top end of the anchor assembly, and the lower end of the second plate Providing a lowermost end of the anchor assembly. The method of claim 2, wherein the second plate comprises at least one lamp-receiving window, and when the first and second plates are in their first ready position, the at least one spreader lamp of the first plate is At least a distal end portion protrudes through at least one lamp receiving window of the second plate. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one spreader ramp of the first plate exhibits a ramp angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one spreader ramp of the first plate is integrally coupled to the body of the first plate by an integral joint exhibiting a radius of curvature of at least 2 mm. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one spreader lamp, the outward-extending flange and the body of the first plate are all parts of a single integral body, and the at least one spreader lamp protrudes from the body, and the upper part of the body The anchor assembly, wherein the outward-extending flange extends from an end. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one spreader lamp of the first plate is spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis of the first plate and is equidistant from the transverse center line of the first plate. Containing, anchor assembly. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second plates are separated from each other by at least one retainer passing through a first holding opening in the body of the first plate and passing through a second holding opening in the body of the second plate. -An anchor assembly that is impossibly connected, wherein the first and second retaining openings are at least generally aligned with each other, and at least one of the openings is a vertical elongate slot, along which the retainer is slidably freely moved . 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one retainer still retains the first and second plates in a non-separably connected configuration from each other, while the body of the second plate is directed outwardly away from the body of the first plate. An anchor assembly configured to be displaceable. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly includes a first attachment orifice in a lower portion of the body of the first plate and a second attachment orifice in a lower portion of the body of the second plate. An anchor assembly configured to be attachable, wherein the attachment orifices are at least generally aligned with each other and sized and shaped to allow a fastener of the harness to pass through the attachment orifices. 14. An anchor assembly according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second attachment orifices is a vertical elongated slot, along which the fastener moves freely slidably. The spreader of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly comprises: the second upper head of the second plate is positioned at at least substantially the same vertical height as the first upper head of the first plate and the upper end of the second plate is the spreader. A locking device engageable to lock the first and second plates at a second installation position displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate by a ramp, wherein the locking device comprises: When engaged, the first and second plates move away from the second installation position until the locking device is disengaged, so that the second upper head of the second plate is more than the first upper head of the first plate. An anchor assembly configured to prevent slidably moving vertically relative to each other to a first ready position positioned low. The method of claim 15, wherein the locking device is configured to automatically engage in a slidable vertical movement of the first and second plates from the first ready position to the second installation position, and the first and second plates 2 the anchor assembly configured such that the locking device must be manually disengaged in order to allow the plates to be slidably vertically moved from the second installation position to the first ready position. The method of claim 1, wherein the first outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate comprises a first lip extending downward therefrom, and a second outward-extending of the second upper head of the second plate The anchor assembly, wherein the flange includes a second lip extending downwardly therefrom. The method of claim 1, wherein a first visual indicator is provided on an outward area of the underside of the first outward-extending flange of the first upper head of the first plate, and a second visual indicator is provided on the second upper portion of the second plate. An anchor assembly provided on an outward area of the underside of the second outward-extending flange of the head. An anchor-installation assembly comprising the anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the anchor assembly is fitted into an upward-facing slot of an installation head located at an upper end of an installation pole, wherein the upward-facing The slot is configured to receive the lower end of the anchor assembly and support the anchor assembly during remote installation into the strut channel of the anchor assembly by a user gripping the lower end of the installation pawl. Installation assembly. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly is configured to be installed into a strut channel and configured to facilitate attachment of the item to the anchor assembly such that the item is supported by the installed anchor assembly. A method of installing an anchor assembly into a strut channel, comprising:
Inserting an upper end of the anchor assembly into the strut channel with the first plate and the second plate of the anchor assembly in a first ready position;
Moving the first and second plates slidably relative to each other from the first preparation position to a second installation position in which the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from the upper end of the first plate step; And
Lowering the anchor assembly so that the first upper head of the first plate and the second upper head of the second plate respectively engage with the holder of the strut channel.
Containing, method.

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